Choosing Your Loft Window For Your Conversion

Picking the right windows for your new conversion is possibly the
single most important aspect of your design and will make or break your
project.

The location and style of the staircase will impact on the interior
aspects of the house as a whole but, in the actual roof space, the
window will be the focus point of your new room and can, and should, be
the one factor which underpins the whole design.

The choice of loft windows is now truly astonishing and the industry has
made incredible strides over the last decade to the point that the
right choice of loft window can make an ordinary conversion look
absolutely spectacular.

By following the highlighted links on this page you can
investigate every type and style of loft window available which are all
variations of either dormer windows or the flush fitting traditional
roof window or roof light.

Dormers are usually used to help create extra light and space
with the modern style flat roof type providing up to 30% more interior
roof space.

An alternative to the flat roof dormer, which often looks
unseemly and box-like, is the more elegant gable dormer, otherwise known
as chocolate box designs.

Chocolate box dormers obviously look nicer and certainly suit
older houses much better than a flat roof dormer, but they are much more
expensive and don’t create as much room as their less attractive, but
more practical, brother.

Still the most popular window option is the traditional skylight
windows. Fitting flush to the roof they are very quick and easy to fit
and, in their basic versions, very much cheaper than dormers but of
course don't allow the extra headroom that dormers provide.

And, before going further, it should be noted that Velux windows,
though often used to describe roof lights is actually a brand name
which, like Tarmac and Hoover, has become so famous that people use the
brand name to describe the product.

But, the choices that the homeowner now has when he/she comes to pick
their loft windows is huge, and is not simply limited to Velux windows.

If the loft conversion can be built without a dormer, roof lights
can be added very quickly and cheaply to provide natural light and, of
course, there is no reason why multiple loft windows cannot be
installed.

Indeed, the effects of a bank of four roof lights arranged side-by-side, can be spectacular.

The final choice of roof light will very much depend on the
design of your loft conversion but there are a number of options to
consider.

First thing to decide is the style of opening. Roof lights are
usually centrally pivoted but, for escape windows, they are more often
top hung. A big advantage of a centrally pivoted roof light is that they
save a lot of space as furniture can be placed directly beneath them
without creating access problems.

Another point in their favour is that they are easily cleaned and
maintained from inside the loft conversion – an important factor when
they provide a focal point of a room.

The top hung style is ideal for low pitched roofs as they open
outwards and, for this reason, are also best suited as escape windows.

Note – if a roof light is to be used as an escape window then,
according to the building regulations, it must have a clear opening
sufficient for an adult to get through and it must be located in a
position where it is possible for it to be reached by a rescue ladder.

For this reason escape windows are usually sited on the front
elevation of the house. For more information on loft conversion safety
click here.

Your choice of loft conversion design will also play a part in deciding which finish should be applied to your loft windows.

Timber framed units are usually the most stylish and practical
solution but, for bathrooms and perhaps children’s bedrooms or
playrooms, it may be advisable to select the more practical and
maintenance free polyurethane loft windows.

Windows can be glazed to your preference including double glazed and, for use in bathrooms, obscured glass.

And, innovations over recent years means that homeowners can now opt
for electrically or even remotely controlled roof lights. Obviously
these are more expensive than their manually operated comrades but they
do add that last stylish touch of luxury to your loft conversion.

Once their design is decided upon roof lights are very easily
installed and, for a builder or diy expert, should only take a few hours
to fit.

One final point is to ensure that the appearance of your roof
lights are not spoilt by poor flashing. The material should blend into
your roof and provide a watertight seal.

Take Time To Plan Your Windows Layout

Taking the time to plan your loft conversion using roof lights or
dormers to their best advantage can transform your project, and the
right design will not only be bathed in natural light but can also be
visually striking.

The panoramic views offered can add a whole new dimension to the
room you are planning and, for bedrooms and living rooms especially,
provide a luxurious new living experience for the homeowner.